Photographic sheet material processing apparatus



S. KITROSSER PHOTOGRAPI-IIC SHEET MATERIAL PROCESSING APPARATUS FiledJune 22, 1964 2 heets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. SAMUEL KITROSSER 1967 s.KITROSSER 3, 9

PHOTOGRAPHIC SHEET-MATERIAL PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed June 22, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 //VVE'/V7'0R. SA MUEL Kl TROSSER FIG. 3, By E &

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent ware Filed June 22, 1964, Ser. No. 376,979 23Claims. (Cl. 9589) This invention relates to methods and apparatus forthe fluid treatment of material, and more particularly, deals withmethods and apparatus for processing photographic material.

The invention accordingly comprises a straight line, self-threading,daylight operated machine capable of continuous processing and dryingphotographic materials, such as film or paper, either in rolls or insheets.

Prior art self-threading, beltless photographic processing apparatusdepend mainly on transport mechanisms employing rollers that have hardand unyielding surfaces. The transport of material through theseprocessing apparatus is made possible, for example, by either theclearance space between the rollers, the diameter differences of therollers or the staggered array pattern. Other processing apparatus,utilizing pairs of resilient rollers that are arranged in configurationsdo not allow for forced circulation of processing solutions through theprocessing apparatus. In this type of processing apparatus, the materialis usually transported along a curved path, necessitating mechanisms,such as mechanical guides, for conveyance of the material and it isknown to fail in removal of solutions from the surface of the materialbetween processing stages.

Recent improvements in photographic materials have produced filmscapable of rapid processing at temperatures as high as 130 F. in 12seconds. A further example is commercially available film that iscompletely processed in 25 seconds at 100 F. Materials manufactured forthe microfilming and graphic arts industry also employ improvedaccelerated processing techniques. Advances have been also made inphotographic processing chemistry, providing rapid acting developingagents, such as pyrazolone derivatives known commercially as phenidone.Photographic additives have been developed to prevent excessive swellingof the emulsion layers. These advances create the needfor reliableprocessing methods and apparatus which allow precise, rapid, hightemperature and kinetically efiicient application of processingsolutions, coupled with a proper transport system for the pbotographicmaterial. In addition duplitized films, such as films used inradiography require substantially the same processing on both itssurfaces.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved dataprocessing apparatus that conveys in a straight line through itsprocessing stations single or multiple strips of material, single cutsheets or multiple sheets of material, and processes both sides of thematerial equally.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved dataprocessing apparatus that transports photographic film without damage toits surface.

Another object is to provide an improved data processing apparatus inwhich excess solution is removed and prevented from creating droplets onthe material.

Another object is to provide an improved data processing apparatus inwhich the material is supported so as to allow processing solution orair to flow simultaneously on both sides of the material at highvelocities.

Another object is to provide an improved data processing apparatus inwhich the material is subjected to an agitated, rapid liquid flow andnot a direct jet or spray during processing.

Another object is to provide an improved data processing apparatus thatemploys few component parts, is easy to service, and simple to operate.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are setforth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself,however, both as to its organization and method of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the data processing apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the processing solution applicator taken alonglines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the new processing solutionapplicator taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the processing solutionapplicator taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional of the inlet port of theprocessing solution applicator.

An embodiment of the data processing apparatus of the present inventionis shown in FIG. 1 for processing a roll of photographic material 20,such as film or paper, bearing a latent data image which is to beprocessed to a visible image. Generally, the data processing apparatuscomprise a film magazine 102 for storing unprocessed material, a firstprocessing station 104, a second processing station 106 and a dryingstation 108. It should be borne in mind that while two processingstations are illustrated, it is apparent that additional, identicalstations may be added to increase the number of steps of operationperformed on material 20. Conversely, it is apparent that the number ofprocessing stations may be reduced to one without departing from theconcepts of the invention.

While not a part of the invention, and therefore, not shown, the dataprocessing apparatus may be part of a unitary data processing systemthat includes a processing solution supply means. The processingsolution supply means may incorporate a processing solutionreplenishment system to maintain the chemical activity of the processingsolution within certain predetermined limits. Additionally, a processingsolution temperature control system may also be incorporated to providemore 'accurate processing control.

Magazine 102 and processing stations 104 and 106 are enclosed in alight-tight housing 110'. Magazine 102 is provided with a removable,light-tight cover 112 to permit access to magazine 102 for mounting theroll of un-' station 104. Wall 114a is provided with an entry passage116a. A wall 11412 separates the first processing station from thesecond processing station and a passage 116 h provides communicationtherebetWeen. Similarly, lighttight housing 110 is provided with an endwall portion 114a that has a passage 1160 between second processingstation 104 and drying station 108. The horizontal center lines ofpassages 116a, 1161; and 1160 define a substantially straight line.

Each processing station 104 and 106 is identical and is provided with apair of feed rollers 44 and 44a, respectively, and a pair of exitrollers 44 and 44'a, respectively. Also each processing station 104 and106 is provided with a processing solution applicator 200 and 200a,respectively. In turn, each processing solution applicator 200 and20011, is coupled to the processing solution supply system by conduit 36and 36a, respectively. Return of the processing solution from each ofthe processing stations 104 and 106 is provided by conduits 38 and 38a,respectively. Direction of flow of processing solution into and out ofthe processing station is indicated by the arrows.

Drying station 108 is provided with a pair of feed rollers 44b and apair of exit rollers 44b. Disposed between roller pairs 44b and 4472 aredual air chambers 120a and 12%. Each air chamber 120a and 12012 iscoupled to a source, not shown, of heated air at a predeterminedtemperature. The heated air is forced into chambers 120a and 1-20!) byfan 202 in the direction of the arrows. Each air chamber 120a and 12012is provided with a slot 122a and 122b, respectively, for directing theheated air against the upper and lower surfaces of the material passingtherebetween. The nip of each of the pairs of rollers, 44, 44', 44a,44'a, 44b and 44'b are disposed in the processing plane previouslydescribed with reference to passages 116a, and 116b, and 1160. Therollers are driven in the direction of the arrows associated with eachindividual roller. It will now be apparent that material is transportedthrough the various stations in the processing plane from left to rightin FIG. 1. This plane is preferably horizontal as shown in FIG. 1.

In the present data processing apparatus, advantage is made ofimprovements in elastomeric materials, such as synthetic rubbers, in theconstruction of transporting rollers. This type of rollers offers theadvantages of liquid tight seal, nonscratching surface and mechanicalsqueegeeing of the surface of the film.

Each roller is precisely made and accurately positioned with respect toits mate. The rollers are synchronously driven to avoid uneven pull onmaterial 20. The width of each roller determines the maximum width ofmaterial that may be treated by apparatus. In the event cut film orshort strips are to be processed, the length of the material must be atleast equal to the center to center distance between a pair of feedrollers and a pair of delivery rollers. Forexample, the distance betweenthe nips of feed roller 44 and nips of exit roller 44 is the shortestlength of material which can be treated by the data processingapparatus.

Each processing station 104 and 106 is provided with a processingsolution applicator, indicated generally by arrows 200 and 200a,respectively. With reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, there is shown processingsolution applicator 200, which is typical of the processing solutionapplicators of the invention. A processing channel is formed inapplicator 200 by two configured plates 212 and 214 providing applicatormeans. The channel includes an input section, a narrow first processingportion generally indicated at 207 providing inlet channel means. Aplenum portion 224 and 226 and a final processing portion generallyindicated at 213 provides applicator means. The input section is formedby the funnel shaped flanges 206 and 208. First processing portion 207is formed by a relative'ly narrow throat section in which members 212and 214 are substantially parallel to one another. Members 212 and 214diverge from each other after first processing portion 207 to formplenum portions 224, and 226. The width of the channel in the plenumportions 224 and 226 varies from a maximum as the channel emerges fromthe first processing portion to a minimum at the entrance to finalprocessing portion 213. Members 212 and 214 are substantially parallelin the final processing portion 213 or can be slightly tapered in orderto control the flow. As shown in FIG. 4, members 212 and 214 diverge andthe channel emerges from first processing portion 207 into plenumportions 224 and 226, members 212 and 214 have inlet ports 220 and 222,respectively.

Coupled to the outer surface of members 212 and 214 are generallyU-shaped walls 216 and 218, respectively. Walls 216 and 218 formchambers 225a and 225, respectively, along plenum portions 224 and 226,respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, lip portions of walls 226 and 218 arein liquid tight seal with members 212 and 214, respectively, at firstprocessing portion 207 and final processing portion 213. Fluidcommunication means, provided in the form of inlet ports 220 and 222,provide .communi* cation between cavities 225a and 225, respectively.Communication between chambers 225a and 225 is provided by a pair oftubes 204, as best may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, located at the ends ofthe processing solution applicator. Wall 218 is provided with anaperture 210 (FIGS. 2 and 4) providing means for attaching inlet pipe 36(FIG. 1) to processing solution applicator 220.

It should be noted from FIG. 4, that the processing solution applicatorshave an axis of symmetry along the center line of the channel. This axisof symmetry, as best may be seen in FIG. 1, is made to coincide with astraight line passing through the nip of the roller pairs.

It will now be seen that when processing solution is first fed, underpressure, into inlet pipe 36, cavity 225 is filled. The pressure of thesolution forces the solution into upper cavity 225a throughcommunicating tubes 204 (FIG. 3). Since the combined flow opposition orresistance of the orifices of tubes 204 is smaller than the resistanceof port 222, the resulting lower resistance presented by tubes 204 willallow upper cavity 225a to be filled before rnuch solution flows out ofports 220 and 222. Once cavities 225 and 225a are filled, the solutionis then forced out through inlet ports 220 and 222 into the channelformed between members 212 and 214.

It should be noted that inlet ports 220 and 222 form a jet stream whichextends substantially along the entire length of the processing solutionapplicator transverse to the direction of travel of the material, toprovide the necessary processing solution to the material. However, ithas been demonstrated that the stream of solution should not be a jet orspray applied directly to the material. Instead, as shown in FIG. 5, theinput port 222 is disposed in plate 214 at an angle that is chosen insuch a manner that the stream of solution is made to first strikeintercept means in the form of straight portion 221 of plate 214immediately above the material so that the solution will besimultaneously directed into plenum 226 inlet channel 207 (FIGS. 4 and5). Similarly disposed is inlet port 220 on the other side of thechannel so that the solution will be directed into plenum 224 below thematerial. By so doing, a system is provided such that when theprocessing solution is flowing, the solution flows through inlet ports220 and 222 and out towards the leading edge of funnel portions 206 and208 through first processing portion 207 and simultaneously out throughfinal processing portion 213 and the trailing edges of plates 212 and214. The flow of processing solution out of funnel portions 206 and 208creates a prewetting section opposite the exit side of the nip of inputroller pair 44 (FIG. 1). The flow thus created serves a dual purpose:first, the flow initially soaks the material with fresh solution; andsecondly, the flow provides the incoming material with a liquid bearingto prevent the material from curling and entangling in the channelformed by plates 212 and 214. To prevent fluid build up in the entranceside of delivery for rollers 44 and 44a, wiper blade 47 contacts theupper roller of each roller pair 44 and 44a.'Fluid leaves the lowerrollers of each said'pair by gravity. The wiper blade 47 extends alongthe wetted length of their respective rollers.

The processing solution is agitated as it contacts the material surface,thus, increasing processing speed. Effective agitation of the processingsolution is achieved by the relative movement of the solution in thechannel and the material through the channel. This relative movementproduces a shear effect in the solution and provides a uniform andvigorous turbulence over the surface of the material. This shear effectis enhanced because of the rapid rate of circulation of the solution andthe resulting tubulence reduces processing time considerably.

The disposition of the passages, the nip of the roller pairs and theprocessing channel of the processing solution applicators in the commonprocessing plane provides a straight line processing apparatus. Further,the nip of the roller pairs is juxtaposed with the passage and theprocessing solution applicator. As best can be seen in FIG. 1, the nipof entrance roller pair 44 is disposed substantially close to passage116a and at the same time is disposed substantially close to the flareportions 206 and 208. Similarly, the nip of exit roller pair 44' issubstantially close to the flat portions of plates 212 and 214 at theexit portion of solution applicator 200 and, at the same time, issubstantially close to passage 116k. Without further description, itwill be obvious that the nip of roller pair 44a is disposedsubstantially close to passage 116b. What has been described withreference to first processing station 102 is equally applicable tosecond processing station 104. It should be noted that drying station108 is similarly constructed as far as the disposition of the.nip ofdelivery roller pair 44b with reference to exit roller pair. 44a and thedrying apparatus itself and the disposition of the nip of deliveryroller pair 44'b with reference to the drying apparatus.

The preferred disposition of the elements of the data processingapparatus provides the desirable capability of self-threading. That is,with the leading edge of material inserted at the nip of delivery rollerpair 44, the material will be automatically threaded through firstprocessing station 104 second processing station 106, and dryingapparatus 108.

A further advantage of the preferred disposition of the rollers is thecontrol of the solution stream as the solution leaves the processingsolution applicators. For example, solution emerging from processingsolution applicator either at the flared portions 206 and 208 or at theexit portion between plates 212 and 214, will, under gravity, naturallyfall to the bottom of first processing station 104. Solution carried bymaterial 20, betwen drive roller pair 44 is prevented from flowing alongmaterial 20 into magazine 102 by the barrier of the nip of roller pair44. Excess solution fro-m the underside of material 20, upon reachingthe bottom roller member of delivery roller pair 44, drops to the bottomof first processing station 104. Similarly, excess fluid on the topsurface of material 20 will flow off the sides of material 20 to thebottom of first processing station 104.

. At the exit end of processing solution applicator 200, solutionemerging from between the plates 212 and 214 will flow off the materialto drop to the bottom of first processing station 104. Excess solutionon material 20, is prevented from contaminating station 106 by thebarrier of the nip of exit roller pair 44. The squeegee action of exitroller pair 44' removes excess solution on material 20 and forces thesolution to drop to the bottom of first processing station 104. Thesolution that finds itself at the bottom of first processing station 104flows out through pipe 38.-

A further advantage, derived from the disposition of the roller pairs,is that the material is held at least by one edge at all times duringtransport through the apparatus. Thus, large volumes of processingsolutions, washing solutions or drying air can be applied in the shortdistance between roller pairs. Typical rates of liquid circulation areas high as ten gallons per minute and one hundred cubic feet of air perminute. The result is a most eflicient data processing apparatus.Furthermore, since the material is supported only by the processingliquids, between roller pairs in the processing station the entire filmmaterial format is processed in a uniform fashion.

6 Thus, if data (i.e., coding) is placed on the edge of the material itis simultaneously developed with remaining format.

Operation of the present data processing apparatus can best beunderstood by referring to FIG. 1. Let it be assumed that firstprocessing station 104 is a combined developing and fixing stage using asingle solution developer and fixer for exposed photographic film andthe second processing station 106 is the washing stage. Thus, anappropriate single solution developer and fixer solution will beprovided to processing solution applicator 200 through pipe 36 and anappropriate washing solution will be provided to processing solutionapplicator 200a through pipe 36a.

A strip of material 20 is inserted in magazine 102 on reel 20a by firstremoving cover 112. The leading edge of material 20 is inserted betweenthe nip of delivery roller pair 44 which delivers material betweenflared portions 206 and 208 of processing solution applicator 200.Simultaneously, developing solution prewets material 20 in the firstprocessing portion 207 of the processing channel.

As material 20 enters processing solution applicator 200 between flaredportions 206 and 208, processing solution flowing in first fromprocessing portion 207 acts to support material 20 on the solution. Asmaterial 20 proceeds along the processing channel, it enters the plenumportions 224 and 226 where the material is subjected to a highlyturbulent flow of the solution. The solution continues to act as abearing surface while delivery roller pair 44 transports material 20through and along the processing channel. Upon entering final processingportion 213 material 20 is still being supported by solution which isnow flowing in the direction of travel of material 20. Under theinfluence of delivery roller pair 44, material 20 leaves the exitportions of applicator 200 between the plates 212 and 214 while theleading edge of material 20 is self-threaded between the nip of exitroller pair 44'. Exit roller pair 44' acts to squeegee excess solutionfrom material 20 and transports material 20 through passage 11612 to thenip of delivery roller pair 44a and the process is now repeated as withprocessing station 104, except in processing station 106 the solution isa washing solution. Since the actions of the various elements are thesame, description of the operation is omitted. As material 20 istransported out of second processing stage 106 into drying stage 108material 20 is continually transported by the action of the delivery andexit roller pairs 44b and 44'b, respectively. From between roller pair44'b emerges a developed, fixed, washed and dried material 20.

As previously remarked with the new developments in processingchemistry, it is now possible that the material can be driven throughthe processing applicators at speeds of 5 feet a minute employing theimproved chemicals at temperatures of F. and upwards.

While the description of operation of the data processing apparatus isdescribed in terms of a two stage processing apparatus and one dryingstage it should be remembered that the number of stages may be increasedor the number of stages reduced to one stage of processing as thesituation warrants. While there have been described what are at presentconsidered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the invention,and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all suchchanges and modifications as fairly within the true scope and spirit ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a photographic strip material fluid processing apparatus in whichsaid strip material is transported substantially in a plane, theimprovement comprising:

a pair of spaced symmetrical applicator means having opposed surfacesdisposed on opposite sides of said plane for providing a processingchannel between said surfaces, said channel having an inlet and exit forsaid strip, and said opposite surfaces each having fluid communicationmeans formed therein for directing fluid into said passageway towardsaid inlet along a direction intersecting said plane at an acute angle;

fluid supply means coupled to said applicator means for supplying underpressure to said fluid communication means;

intercept means symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of said planeand coupled to said applicator means adjacent said inlet thereof forintercepting and deflecting fluid flow from said fluid communicationmeans whereby fluid in between said applicator means opposed surfaces isagitated and simultaneously directed in at least a first direction alongsaid plane toward said inlet and in a second direction toward said exit;and

inlet channel means coupled to said intercept means for receiving saidstrip and restricting said fluid flow in said first direction, saidrestricted flow prewetting said strip material as it is transportedthrough said inlet channel means.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plane is substantiallyhorizontal.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said inlet channel means includespaced opposed surfaces symmetrically disposed in opposite sides of saidplanes.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said plane is horizontal and saidopposed surfaces are parallel, substantially horizontal plates.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said applicator means opposedsurfaces define a channel converging towards the exit of said applicatormeans whereby flow f fluid in said second direction is restricted.

6. In a photographic strip material fluid processing apparatus in whichsaid strip material is transported substantially in a plane, theimprovement comprising:

a pair of spaced symmetrical applicator means having opposed surfacesdisposed on opposite sides of said plane for providing a processingchannel between said surfaces, said channel having an inlet and exit forsaid strip, said channel converging toward said exit, and said oppositesurfaces each having fluid communication means formed therein fordirecting fluid into said passageway toward said inlet along a directionintersecting said horizontal plane at an acute angle;

fluid supply means coupled to said applicator means for supplying fluidunder pressure to said fluid communication means;

intercept means symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of said planeand coupled to said applicator means adjacent said inlet thereof forintercepting and deflecting fluid flow from said fluid communicationmeans whereby fluid between said applicator means opposed surfaces iscaused to be agitated and simultaneously directed in at least a firstdirection along said plane toward said inlet and in the second directiontoward said exit;

inlet channel means coupled to said intercept means for receiving saidstrip and restricting said fluid flow in said first direction, saidrestricted flow prewetting said strip material as it is transportedthrough said inlet channel means; and

transport means for transporting said material through inlet channelmeans and applicator means substantially horizontally.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said transport means transportssaid film at a substantially uniform rate.

-8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said transport means includes apair of exit rollers disposed adjacent said applicator means exit, saidroller pair having its nip disposed in said horizontal plane wherebysaid strip is transported through said inlet and applicator meanssubstantially horizontally.

9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said transport means includes apair of delivery rollers disposed adjacent said inlet means, said rollerpair having its nip disposed in said horizontal plane whereby stripmaterial is delivered to said inlet means substantially horizontally.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said transport means furtherincludes a pair of exit rollers disposed adjacent said applicator meansexit, the nips of both said roller pairs lying in said horizontal plane.

11. The combination of claim 10' wherein said fluid communication meanseach include an elongated narrow slit.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein each of said slits is elongatedin a direction substantially parallel to said delivery roller pair nip.

13. The combination of claim 12 further including means forsimultaneously drying both sides of said strip after processing.

14. The combination of claim 12 wherein said delivery roller above saidhorizontal plane has wiping means in contact with the surface forpreventing processing fluid from collecting on the entrance side of saidnip.

15. In a processor for applying processing fluid to web materialtransported therethrough:

(a) a fluid applicator having a channel forming wall portionsubstantially parallel to the surface of said web material for applyingfluid to said web material at a flow rate suflicient to fill the channelby said wall portion between said applicator wall portion and said webmaterial,

(b) said fluid applicator having a web inlet portion and a web exitportion, and

(0) means positioned between said Wall portion of said applicator andsaid web material for intercepting and deflecting fluid emerging fromsaid fluid applicator to cause turbulence in said channel between saidapplicator wall portion and said web material, thereby to increaseprocessing uniformity and speed.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 15 wherein said fluidapplicator applies fluid at the underside of said web for supportingsaid web by forming a liquid bearing thereunder.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 15, wherein said fluidapplicator comprises a wall having an elongated orifice means containedtherein.

18. The combination as set forth in claim 17 wherein said elongatedorifice means comprises an elongated slit oriented to direct fluid intosaid space at an acute angle with respect to the surface of said webmaterial.

19. The combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein said means forintercepting and deflecting comprises a baffle oriented substantially ata right angle with respect to said wall.

20. In a processor for applying processing fluid to web materialtransported therethrough:

(a) a pair of spaced fluid applicator means having channel forming wallportions positioned on opposite sides of said web for providing aprocessing channel having web inlet and exit portions, said channelforming wall portions each having fluid communication means therein fordirecting fluid into said processing channel;

(b) fluid supply means coupled to said fluid applicator means forsupplying fluid to said fluid communication means; and

(c) fluid intercept means disposed between said channel forming wallportions and said web for intercepting and deflecting fluid flowemerging from said fluid communication means to thereby cause turbulencein said processing'fluid to increase the processing rate.

21. The combination as set forth in claim 20 wherein said channelforming wall portions are horizontally oriented.

22. The combination as set forth in claim 20 further including a pair ofinput drive rollers having a nip positioned adjacent said web inletportion.

23. In a photographic strip material fluid processing apparatus in whichsaid strip material is transported substantially in a plane, theimprovement comprising:

(a) a pair of spaced symmetrical applicator means having opposedsurfaces disposed on opposite sides of said plane for providing aprocessing channel between said surfaces, said channel having an inletand exit for said strip, and said opposite surfaces each having fluidcommunication means formed therein for directing fluid into saidpassageway toward said inlet along a direction intersecting said planeat an acute angle;

(b) fluid supply means coupled to said applicator means for supplyingfluid under pressure to said fluid communication means;

(c) intercept means symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of saidplane and coupled to said applicator means adjacent said inlet thereoffor intercepting and deflecting fluid flow from said fluid communicationmeans whereby fluid in between said applicator means opposed surfaces isagitated and simultaneously directed in at least a first direction alongsaid plane toward said inlet and in a second direction toward said exit;and

(d) a pair of input drive rollers having a nip positioned adjacent saidweb inlet portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,539,549 1/ 1931 Rayburn.

2,779,183 1/ 1957 Fornelli 95-89 X 3,060,889 10/1962 Knapp 118125 X3,192,845 7/1965 Schmidt 95-89 3,192,846 7/1965 Wright 9594 20 NORTONANSI-IER, Primary Examiner.

CLIFFORD B. PRICE, JOSEPH F. PETERS, JR.,

Assistant Examiners.

15. IN A PROCESSOR FOR APPLYING PROCESSING FLUID TO WEB MATERIALTRANSPORTED THERETHROUGH: (A) A FLUID APPLICATOR HAVING A CHANNELFORMING WALL PORTION SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE SURFACE OF SAID WEBMATERIAL FOR APPLYING FLUID TO SAID WEB MATERIAL AT A FLOW RATESUFFICIENT TO FILL THE CHANNEL BY SAID WALL PORTION BETWEEN SAIDAPPLICATOR WALL PORTION AND SAID WEB MATERIAL, (B) SAID FLUID APPLICATORHAVING A WEB INLET PORTION AND A WEB EXIT PORTION, AND (C) MEANSPOSITIONED BETWEEN SAID WALL PORTION OF SAID APPLICATOR AND SAID WEBMATERIAL FOR INTERCEPTING SAID DEFLECTING FLUID EMERGING FROM SAID FLUIDAPPLICATOR TO CAUSE TURBULENCE IN SAID CHANNEL BETWEEN SAID APPLICATORWALL PORTION AND SAID WEB MATERIAL, THEREBY TO INCREASE PROCESSINGUNIFORMITY AND SPEED.